Pause. Krupp moves toward Harry as if to make an important arrest. Harry moves to the swinging doors. McCarthy stops Krupp.

McCarthy (to Harry) It’s the funniest thing I’ve ever heard. Or seen, for that matter.

Harry (coming back to McCarthy) Then, why don’t you laugh?

McCarthy I don’t know, yet.

Harry I’m always getting funny ideas that nobody will laugh at.

McCarthy (thoughtfully) It may be that you’ve stumbled headlong into a new kind of comedy.

Harry Well, what good is it if it doesn’t make anybody laugh?

McCarthy There are kinds of laughter, son. I must say, in all truth, that I am laughing, although not out loud.

Harry I want to hear people laugh. Out loud. That’s why I keep thinking of funny things to say.

McCarthy Well. They may catch on in time. Let’s go, Krupp. So long, Joe.

McCarthy and Krupp go.

Joe So long. (After a moment’s pause.) Hey, Nick.

Nick Yeah.

Joe Bet McCarthy in the last race.

Nick You’re crazy. That horse is a double-crossing, no-good –

Joe Bet everything you’ve got on McCarthy.

Nick I’m not betting a nickel on him. You bet everything you’ve got on McCarthy.

Joe I don’t need money.

Nick What makes you think McCarthy’s going to win?

Joe McCarthy’s name’s McCarthy, isn’t it?

Nick Yeah. So what?

Joe The horse named McCarthy is going to win, that’s all. Today.

Nick Why?

Joe You do what I tell you, and everything will be all right.

Nick McCarthy likes to talk, that’s all. (Pause.) Where’s Tom?

Joe He’ll be around. He’ll be miserable, but he’ll be around. Five or ten minutes more.

Nick You don’t believe that Kitty, do you? About being in burlesque?

Joe (very clearly) I believe dreams sooner than statistics.

Nick (remembering) She sure is somebody. Called me a dentist.

Tom, turning about, confused, troubled, comes in, and hurries to Joe’s table.

Joe What’s the matter?

Tom Here’s your five, Joe. I’m in trouble again.

Joe If it’s not organic, it’ll cure itself. If it is organic, science will cure it. What is it, organic or non-organic?

Tom Joe, I don’t know – (He seems to be completely broken-down.)

Joe What’s eating you? I want you to go on an errand for me.

Tom It’s Kitty.

Joe What about her?

Tom She’s up in her room, crying.

Joe Crying?

Tom Yeah, she’s been crying for over an hour. I been talking to her all this time, but she won’t stop.

Joe What’s she crying about?

Tom I don’t know. I couldn’t understand anything. She kept crying and telling me about a big house and collie dogs all around and flowers and one of her brothers dead and the other one lost somewhere. Joe, I can’t stand Kitty crying.

Joe You want to marry the girl?

Tom (nodding) Yeah.

Joe (curious and sincere) Why?

Tom I don’t know why, exactly, Joe. (Pause.) Joe, I don’t like to think of Kitty out in the streets. I guess I love her, that’s all.